Facebook Messenger: Find Hidden Messages from Non-Friends

Quickly view your filtered message requests

Written by Kyle Smith

Last Updated: January 21, 2023

Mobile

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Desktop & Laptop

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

There’s a secret folder with hidden messages on Facebook Messenger — and it’s just a few clicks away. We’re talking about the Message Requests folder. Facebook automatically filters message requests from people you don’t know into this folder. This wikiHow will show you how to see the “other” folder in Facebook Messenger on iPhone, iPad, Android, and PC (Windows and Mac use the same method).

Things You Should Know

For iPhone, iPad, and Android, tap the Message Requests option in your user profile menu. This will show you the “other” folder filled with filtered messages.
On a desktop or laptop, go to https://www.messenger.com/ and click the Message Requests button in the left menu bar.
You can delete, block, or report a message request on all platforms. To delete a group message request, select “leave group.”

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Mobile

1
Open the Facebook Messenger app. Its icon is blue and purple with a white lightning bolt inside it. The process to see the “Other” folder (officially called Message Requests) is the same on iPhone, iPad, and Android.
- This “other” folder is different from archived messages. You can unarchive messages if needed.
- If you’re looking for how to get rid of any message, check out our guide on deleting messages.
- You might also be interested in deleting entire groups.
2
Tap the profile button. This is the profile picture in the top right of the app.^{[1]
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3
Tap Message requests. This will open the Message Requests menu.
4
Choose a folder. There are two folders in Message Requests, “You may know” and “Spam.”
- You may know shows you people that Facebook thinks you might be familiar with.
- Spam contains message requests that Facebook filtered out as potentially spam.
5
Open a conversation. You have a few options once you open a conversation’s chat page:
- Reply to a message to start a conversation with the sender. This will allow them to call you, see your info, and view read receipts.
- Block will block the sender from sending you additional messages.
- Delete removes the message request from the list.
- The Leave Group option will be present if it’s a group message request. This is the same action as deleting a 1-on-1 message request.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Desktop & Laptop

1
Go to https://www.messenger.com/. You can use any web browser to access Messenger on a computer.^{[2]
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- If you’re trying to get off Facebook Messenger entirely, read our article on deleting your account on PC or Mac.
2
Click the Message Requests button. This is the chat icon with three horizontal dots in the left menu bar. This will open the Message Requests panel.
3
Choose a folder. There are two folders in Message Requests, “You may know” and “Spam.”
- You may know shows you people that Facebook thinks you might be familiar with.
- Spam contains message requests that Facebook filtered out as potentially spam.
4
Open a conversation. You have a few options once you open a conversation’s chat page:
- Reply to a message to start a conversation with the sender. This will allow them to call you, see your info, and view read receipts.
5
Optionally, click “I don’t want to hear from <sender name>.” This will open a menu with two options.
- Delete chat removes the message request from the list.
- The Leave Group option will be present if it’s a group message request. This is the same action as deleting a 1-on-1 message request.
- Block will block the sender from sending you additional messages.
6
Optionally, click the Conversation Information button. It’s the three horizontal dots in the top right of the chat. This will show you additional actions you can take regarding the message sender.
- Block will block the sender from sending you additional messages.
- Report the conversation if they’re threatening you or going against Facebook’s Community Standards.^{[3]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Is there an alert to see unknown contacts messages besides going to requests

Kyle Smith
wikiHow Technology Writer
Kyle Smith is a wikiHow Technology Writer, learning and sharing information about the latest technology. He has presented his research at multiple engineering conferences and is the writer and editor of hundreds of online electronics repair guides. Kyle received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

Kyle Smith

wikiHow Technology Writer

Expert Answer

There doesn't seem to be a way to turn on notifications for message requests as of October 2022.
Question

I have a notification that I have a message on FB messenger. I go there and there are no new messages on my iPhone 8

Kyle Smith
wikiHow Technology Writer
Kyle Smith is a wikiHow Technology Writer, learning and sharing information about the latest technology. He has presented his research at multiple engineering conferences and is the writer and editor of hundreds of online electronics repair guides. Kyle received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

Kyle Smith

wikiHow Technology Writer

Expert Answer

This might indicate that you have an unread message somewhere in your messages list.